Mizner Park Art Festival

The kids and I checked out the Art Festival at Mizner Park on Super Bowl Sunday.  It was a beautiful day here in Boca and we just wanted to get outdoors and enjoy it.  The Art Festival was really nice.  In talking to one of the exhibitors, he indicated the show is juried, meaning that no exhibitor gets “in” unless he/she is judged to be good enough for the show.  I don’t know who the judges are but they did a really nice job.  There was a wide variety of artists – something for everyone.  I believe this was the 24th year for the Art Festival.  It reminded me of the Fort Worth Art Festival  - which also attracted a nice group of artists.  I highly recommend you visit the festival next year!

In case you are wondering, the festival doesn’t need security, in my opinion.  However, there was a security guard at one exhibit – the one with life-sized, “wax-museum” type people.  Well, I’m sure you’ve figured it out already but the guard is no man…he’s art.  It was fascinating.  I had to look at him several times before deciding he was art rather than someone dressed as a security guard but acting like a mannequin.  As I said, the variety of art was great.  Everything from wax-museum people (that was definitely the oddest exhibit IMO) to metal art, glass art, wooden spoons, water fountains, fantastic photography and paintings…and yes, the wildlife art.  Look closely in the picture of the zebra and you can see details like carvings.  (Sorry for the photo quality – wish you could’ve been there to enjoy yourself).

 

DIY’s in the house

There’s a bit of a stir in our neighborhood this morning as trucks and cars line up outside a neighbor’s house.  You know there’s something going on due to the number of cars…and oh, this van.

Dear called me this morning after arriving at work to tell me, “There’s an HGTV show going on down the street.”  What?  I had just watched two of my favorite HGTV shows (“First Time Design” and “Curb Appeal:  The Block”).  What if it’s “Curb Appeal: The Block” and they want to do a little work on our curb appeal?  How exciting.  (Yes, I know…it’s all about me, isn’t it?).   So, of course, out the door I go (with the kids and my camera in hand!) for an impromptu neighborhood stroll.  There were plenty of cars and guys roaming around as we approached.  Once I saw the “Man Caves” van, I realized it wasn’t an HGTV show, but instead a “DIY” network show.  Sadly, Direct TV doesn’t offer DIY network unless I upgrade to a more expensive package (at least that’s what I think the case is) so I’ll never see what’s going on at the neighbor’s house.  Of course, there are options.  I could introduce myself (they live several blocks down the street so I haven’t met them); I could purchase a more expensive Direct TV package (not gonna happen!); I can ask a friend to tape all of the upcoming “Man Caves” shows since I think she gets DIY network; I can just imagine how fun it must be to have the DIY crew in my home…and live vicariously.

Wow…that’s a lot of excitement for a Sunday morning here in our little Boca neighborhood.

 

Randyland

This morning I saw an interesting piece on The Today Show.  It’s about a man with a vision and a glass half-full.  His name is Randy Gilson and he lives and thrives in Pittsburgh.  His desire to make his part of the world a better place has brought together a community and his use of color and his creativity have become a type of therapy for his neighborhood.  He has funded his own neighborhood improvement project with the tips he receives as a waiter during his breakfast shift. Randy uses what others have discarded or have sold inexpensively at yard sales to create a one-of-a-kind environment.  Here is his inspiring story.

Randyland

pics

Randy has the attributes to which we all can aspire.  How do you make your community a better place to live?

 

Winter’s warmth

I know it seems that all I think about lately is how hot it is here but there is just something unnatural about it!  It’s snowing in South Texas…can’t Mother Nature just give us a little taste here in South Florida?  I’m patiently waiting on the cool front forecasted to blow through tonight…it’s 79 degrees right now…waiting on the 50s! 

In the meanwhile, here’s what I do.  I put on Christmas music, turn the A/C down to 72 degrees and create winter-inspired photo mosaics.  (Really, I do have a life. I’m just preoccupied because of the heat and humidity). 

Let is snow…let it snow…let it snow…

(A girl can dream, can’t she?)

 

Thanksgiving thoughts

Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday.  People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year.  And then discover once a year is way too often.  ~Johnny Carson

Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence.  ~Erma Bombeck

Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds.  ~Theodore Roosevelt

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 

The signs of Fall in South Florida

It is really hard to tell when it’s Fall here in South Florida.  We had a few days of what I consider to be Fall weather and now…it feels like summer again.  It’s just strange to be in the middle of November and the high temperature is still in the mid 80s.  What’s it like elsewhere around the country where my friends and family are enjoying Fall? 

Let’s see… 

How are my friends in Fort Worth?  They’re wearing sweaters since it’s 57 degrees there!

Austin?  A lovely 62. 

What about Los Angeles?  66

Baltimore? 49

Nashville?  57

Las Vegas?  66

You get the idea.  It’s warm here – and there are no fall colors.  I really miss the oranges, golds, and even browns, that signify Autumn back in Texas and around the country. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today I saw an iguana run across the street. 

Maybe that’s a sign for Fall here in South Florida. 

As the wise, round-headed kid known as Charlie Brown would say, “AGH!” 

 

Catching up

I know it’s been a while since I’ve posted.  I really have no excuses.  I guess that’s a good thing…that means I’ve been really busy, right?  Nonetheless, I’m back today.  I will do a better job of posting – Scout’s honor!

I thought I’d create a list of 5 things I really want right now just to get things going. 

1.  COOL weather.  Apparently, a cool front will be here in sunny south Florida this weekend.  I can’t wait for highs in the low 80’s…  I know, you have no sympathy for me.  I live in Paradise, so I’ve heard.  Sure, if I lived in Fargo I would probably be hoping for a little sunny south Florida weather…but I don’t.  Therefore, I’ll wish for cool weather. 

2.  I really would like it if someone would come up with some no-calorie, no-fat, no-unhealthy-anything pizza.  Pizza is one of my favorite foods and I make it about as healthy as you can – using reduced fat cheese and lots of veggies…but sometimes, I just want the real thing.  It would be the same with hamburgers, fries – basically anything considered unhealthy or fattening but I won’t be greedy.  I’d just like a healthy pizza today.

3.  I’d really like a new car.  My 2005 Suburban is still fine, don’t get me wrong.  However, as long as I’m wishing…I’m wishing for a new car.  I want something a little sportier (wouldn’t that be basically any other car than a Suburban?) and something that wouldn’t guzzle so much gas.

4.  I would like Aggie, my almost-11-year-old daughter, to pick up after herself and put everything where it goes after she’s used it.  Oh, I almost forgot…without me asking!  That’s the clencher.  I ask and ask for her to pick things up.  It’s just her nature though.  She’s like Hansel and Gretel – wherever she goes, she leaves a trail behind her – only it’s not because she needs to find her way out of the forest. 

I have to add a disclaimer here.  Of course, I’d like world peace, as well as no more environmental pollution or polar ice deterioration, and even no more abused animals and children.  However, this is a “for fun” list…so there you go. 

5.  With that said, I’d like my own personal chef.  Sure, the chef could create meals (and healthy snacks) for the rest of the family – that would be fine.  Wouldn’t it be great to have someone do all of that thinking and preparing for you and your family?  What a time saver.  A girl can dream, can’t she?

Now that I’ve put together my list of 5, what are yours?  Come on…just give me 1!

(P.S.  The disclaimer applies to you too!)